Art Parola

Art spent much of his childhood covered in mud and creek water, chasing every critter that crawled, slithered, or swam with a butterfly net, and trying to identify them with his collection of field guides. This led him to a career focused on animal welfare, sustainable development, and conservation, particularly through sustainable use policy initiatives. Art is now an attorney for the United States Association of Reptile Keepers (USARK), Legislative and Policy Advisor for Project Piaba, and an Advisory Board member for NAIA. Art’s childhood love for animals and nature has not abated, though he now usually carries a camera instead of a net. His writing and photographs have appeared in numerous online articles, as well as in print publications in multiple countries around the world.